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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> ad-ware computer highjack
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 02/02/2005 01:47:59 PM · #1
having ad-ware computer highjack problems again. does anyone know of any comprehensive software that can protect my computer from both ad-ware and viruses?
02/02/2005 01:50:28 PM · #2
Just installed Ewido Security Suite...seems great for adware/malware.

Still using Norton for virus checking & protection.

Ewido is a basic prog freeware, comes with plugins valid for 14 days, then reverts to basic.
 02/02/2005 01:58:53 PM · #3
I don't think there is any "comprehensive" software that can protect you.

What I do for myself and for the friends/neighbors that I support:

Reinstall everything from scratch making sure to NOT be connected to the Internet.

Install a firewall (I use Norton's, but there are many other good choices.) Connect computer to Internet from behind my own hardware firewall. Download & install security patches. Install virus protection (I use AVG), download & install FireFox, hide IE as much as possible. Download and install Spybot Search & Destroy, do the "immunize" thing.

Then I make sure they understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch - every ad on the Internet is a LIE. A programmer can make a "No" button do the same thing as a "Yes" button. I tell them about the red-X in the corner and the Alt-F4 options of closing windows.

Haven't had hardly any problems since.
 02/02/2005 02:00:55 PM · #4
V-Com's Fix-It Utilities is a great all around virus checker and it does much more get it here.. For spyware I use both AD-aware and bps Spyware remover together. Together these three get rid of most spyware and viri that is out there.
 02/02/2005 02:09:08 PM · #5
The two best are ad-aware and spybot search and destroy. Both will look for and remove the spyware already installed.

Spyware Blaster is a program desinged to keep the spyware from ever being installed.

I personally use sypot search and destroy and spyware blaster at the same time. I am always 100% spyware free.

All of these programs are FREE.

Ad-Aware

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spyware Blaster
 02/02/2005 02:21:35 PM · #6
Originally posted by nsbca7:
having ad-ware computer highjack problems again. does anyone know of any comprehensive software that can protect my computer from both ad-ware and viruses?


1. Get a hardware firewall. Put it between your PC and the Internet, then clean off all the spyware and ad crap on your PC.

2. Install Mozilla-Firefox 1.0 and use that exclusively as your web browser, save for Windows Update or sites, like banks, that only work with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Take this link; Mozilla-Firefox

3. Ditch your Windows based PC altogether and make the switch to an Apple.
 02/02/2005 02:24:11 PM · #7
Mozilla Firefox keeps coming up. I've tried it and didn't like it at all. I'm confused as to why everyone loves it so much. Tabbed browsing? Big deal, all that means is that it requires two steps to open up the web page I want when I'm using another program (click Firefox tab, click web page tab).
 02/02/2005 02:25:25 PM · #8
Originally posted by BADDBOYY21:
The two best are ad-aware and spybot search and destroy. Both will look for and remove the spyware already installed.

Spyware Blaster is a program desinged to keep the spyware from ever being installed.

I personally use sypot search and destroy and spyware blaster at the same time. I am always 100% spyware free.

All of these programs are FREE.

Ad-Aware

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spyware Blaster


For a anti-virus try AVG. //www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
This anti-virus is free and they have frequent updates. I have found that it works quite well.


02/02/2005 02:29:54 PM · #9
another vote for spybot ... works great
 02/02/2005 02:37:53 PM · #10
Originally posted by Nelzie:
Originally posted by nsbca7:
having ad-ware computer highjack problems again. does anyone know of any comprehensive software that can protect my computer from both ad-ware and viruses?

2. Install Mozilla-Firefox 1.0 and use that exclusively as your web browser, save for Windows Update or sites, like banks, that only work with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Take this link; Mozilla-Firefox

What I was about to say!!
Make sure you have "Preferences->web features->allow web sites to install software" disabled and the "allowed sites" list empty, and have it enabled on a case by case basis.

Message edited by author 2005-02-02 14:38:51.
 02/02/2005 02:41:16 PM · #11
Originally posted by rex07734:
For a anti-virus try AVG. //www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
This anti-virus is free and they have frequent updates. I have found that it works quite well.

Although it's probably worth pointing out that they are withdrawing their free offering mid-February.
 02/02/2005 02:42:12 PM · #12
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
Mozilla Firefox keeps coming up. I've tried it and didn't like it at all. I'm confused as to why everyone loves it so much. Tabbed browsing? Big deal, all that means is that it requires two steps to open up the web page I want when I'm using another program (click Firefox tab, click web page tab).

PRESS on the WHEEL! press the mouse wheel down to open link in a new tab. There's a button hidden inside:P
hope it helps you to start loving it ;)

Message edited by author 2005-02-02 14:43:11.
 02/02/2005 02:53:35 PM · #13
Originally posted by nsbca7:
having ad-ware computer highjack problems again. does anyone know of any comprehensive software that can protect my computer from both ad-ware and viruses?


There is no such thing as a comprehensive program. Once you have ad-aware on your machine it is true that it is sometimes difficult to remove but you should never have to re-install from scratch. Oftentimes re-installing the OS doesn't completely fix the problem either.

What operating system are using?
Is the operating system up to date with the latest patches?
Do you use ad-aware?
Is anyone else using your computer besides you?
What type of ad-aware do you have on your computer?
Do you download a lot of freeware such as free weather checker etc.?

All of these questions should be taken into consideration before you take an drastic action. 90% of the time ad-ware can be blocked by simply looking at the program you are installing. Make sure that you do not install anything that might resemble ad-aware. If you are using any file sharing program such as Kazaa you have already installed ad-ware.

To remove the adware you already have installed use ad-aware at www.lavasoft.com and use Avast Home Edition for your anti-virus, it's free and highly rated, www.avast.com. Sygate Personal Firewall is also free and works fairly well.

Message edited by author 2005-02-02 14:54:06.
 02/02/2005 03:18:40 PM · #14
Originally posted by nsbca7:
having ad-ware computer highjack problems again. does anyone know of any comprehensive software that can protect my computer from both ad-ware and viruses?

Put the Fun back into Computing
Whaddya mean that's not what you meant? ; )

Message edited by author 2005-02-02 15:19:54.
 02/02/2005 03:22:20 PM · #15
In addition, download "hijackthis", run it and post your log on castlecops.com and experts will tell you how to correct the problems. Warning, they are VERY busy there and it may take a while to get to you.

Originally posted by rex07734:
Originally posted by BADDBOYY21:
The two best are ad-aware and spybot search and destroy. Both will look for and remove the spyware already installed.

Spyware Blaster is a program desinged to keep the spyware from ever being installed.

I personally use sypot search and destroy and spyware blaster at the same time. I am always 100% spyware free.

All of these programs are FREE.

Ad-Aware

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spyware Blaster


For a anti-virus try AVG. //www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
This anti-virus is free and they have frequent updates. I have found that it works quite well.
02/02/2005 03:45:38 PM · #16
More important than anti-virus programs is using a good firewall. Microsoft's firewall that comes with xp is not one of them. Get ZoneAlarm from ZoneLabs. They have a full line of security applications but the free home version of ZoneAlarm is great. Many think it is the best firewall there is for any price.

Beyond a firewall, safe internet practices are better protection than programs.
 02/02/2005 04:52:49 PM · #17
I was just going to have to search for these programs to fix a computer at work, so these postings came at the perfect time -- Thannks everyone!
 02/02/2005 05:10:51 PM · #18
OK, I,m firewalled out the ass, run XP all up-to-date, just installed Norton Internet Security 2005 several weeks ago, have access to Lavasoft, run everything through a router, never download little stupid programs, never let anyone else on my computer and have a G5 dual in the next room.

All I was asking was is there a comprehensive program that takes care of ad-ware, mal-ware and viruses? Norton's claimed their program would but doesn't and in fact slows the computer down and has a vast array of it's own pop-ups.

From the tone of this thread I take it no such program exists. Thank you everyone for your help. Don't buy Norton's and the next computer you buy make it a Mac.

F Microsoft.
 02/02/2005 05:14:44 PM · #19
Yeah - great timing - my computer is likely riddled with spyware by now.
 02/02/2005 06:01:00 PM · #20
you may need to get hijackthis ver1.99.

Another member here on DPC refered me to this web site and it REALLY helped alot

Short Media Forms

you will need to register (its free) and snoop around and find the hijackthis download, install it and post your log in a new file. but run ad-aware se and spybot Search and destroy first.

They are great guys and will help you get your system clean

James
 02/02/2005 06:06:09 PM · #21
Originally posted by nsbca7:
OK, I,m firewalled out the ass, run XP all up-to-date, just installed Norton Internet Security 2005 several weeks ago, have access to Lavasoft, run everything through a router, never download little stupid programs, never let anyone else on my computer and have a G5 dual in the next room.

All I was asking was is there a comprehensive program that takes care of ad-ware, mal-ware and viruses? Norton's claimed their program would but doesn't and in fact slows the computer down and has a vast array of it's own pop-ups.

From the tone of this thread I take it no such program exists. Thank you everyone for your help. Don't buy Norton's and the next computer you buy make it a Mac.

F Microsoft.


Its not microsofts fault, its the 10-20 year olds who have nothing better to do than to do harm to computers and find microsoft is easy to take advantage of.

anyway, there is NOT one catch all end all program to stop all this junk.

James
 02/02/2005 06:18:06 PM · #22
Originally posted by jab119:
Its not microsofts fault, its the 10-20 year olds who have nothing better to do than to do harm to computers and find microsoft is easy to take advantage of.

If cars came with locks that didn't work would you hold the manufacturers completely free of blame when yours got nicked?
 02/02/2005 06:22:52 PM · #23
Originally posted by bod:
Originally posted by jab119:
Its not microsofts fault, its the 10-20 year olds who have nothing better to do than to do harm to computers and find microsoft is easy to take advantage of.

If cars came with locks that didn't work would you hold the manufacturers completely free of blame when yours got nicked?


If you had a choice of buying a car with locks or without, and you chose no locks, would you hold yourself completely free of blame when yours got nicked?

Microsoft has had a pretty slipshod product security-wise for a long time - yet their products are still being bought!
 02/02/2005 06:38:15 PM · #24
The "see all, do all" softwares tend to not live up to the claims and dig in so resolutely that if you ever have to uninstall them..(which you will) they do so poorly or cause issues when doing so. I would rather have stand alone programs for each issue ie. firewall, spyware, antivirus etc. AVG is good for an antivirus as stated before, zonelabs makes a decent free firewall and adaware and spybot are excellent for malware.
 02/02/2005 06:44:00 PM · #25
My uncle is a programmer and he recomended Adaware. It seems to work quite well.
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